Meaningful meetings, referring to sustainability and environmental stewardship, represents a major trend that’s here to stay. The concept sounds simple enough until you start planning your meeting. Here are some tips for infusing meaningful elements into your agenda and creating a sustainable and environmentally-friendly event.
Align the content
As we know, content is king, and it’s even more critical when you want your event to convey a larger message. To add sustainability to your event, it cannot be communicated with just facts and figures, so add the human touch. Personal stories, emotional presentations and the rationale behind the message are key to connecting with your guests and creating a meaningful meeting. In addition to service, give your group the opportunity to interact with each other for the benefit of the environment. Human interaction in a meaningful way will resonate with your group and create memories that data never will.
Learning the language
Sustainability is top of mind these days with attendees and planners alike. Start by understanding your group and identify their interests and needs. Then match them with a meeting destination that aligns with their values, such as sustainable practices, a green philosophy or supporting the local economy.
Destinations and hotels are expanding the definition of sustainability into every corner of the meeting process. Major initiatives for hotels, meeting venues and other businesses include:
Green Key is a leading standard of excellence for environmental responsibility and sustainable practices within the tourism industry.
LEED Certification recognises properties with sustainable practices using four levels of certification.
Energy Star® is a government-backed symbol identifying energy-efficient products.
Green Globe measures environmental, social and economic sustainability, including the supply chain.
Some examples of sustainable initiatives: compliance with national laws in matters of sustainability; circular recyclable waste; sustainable electric energy; recollection and use of vegetable oil for biodiesel production; local products and services purchasing programmes. All of these practices support the concept of a meaningful event and make it more than just a gathering.
Add first-person experience
To get guests to embrace the natural aspects of the destination, give them a feeling for the history and the people behind the place. Then take your group on a tour of the destination and point out the efforts being made to comply with sustainable initiatives. Telling them about green plans is one thing, but seeing these plans actually being integrated is more memorable and creates a deeper appreciation for the destination's commitment. In addition, learning the history of the place gives attendees a greater understanding of the need for environmental stewardship.
Make a little magic
A good story ends with a happy ending, a good joke ends with a punch line and a good event ends with some sort of surprise. It could be a guest, an artifact, a gift… there’s a world of ideas. But your goal is to surprise and delight your attendees, and to leave them with a unique experience. The trend for meaningful meetings, sustainable practices and memorable travel should come together to ensure a successful and engaging event.
Meaningful meetings are a commitment at Fiesta Americana Travelty & Events' Resorts & Hotels
One hotel company in particular has made a major commitment to meaningful meetings. At Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events, sustainability and respect are part of the culture and DNA. As a leader in the Mexican hospitality industry, it has adopted measures and practices that allow for the protection and care of nature and the environment while promoting sustainable tourism, all of which add a larger meaning to events.
Following are just some of the elements that make up the Meaningful Travel programme. The company has established the foundations of a strategy that provides sustainability through compliance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals in three areas: environmental, social and economic sustainability. These include:
- Compliance with national laws in matters of sustainability.
- Caring for guest and staff health and well-being.
- Transparency and ethical behaviour.
- Respect for the interests of all involved parts.
"At Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events, sustainability isn't just a choice, it's our compass guiding every decision. We pledge to tread lightly on the earth, ensuring each stay leaves a footprint of responsible luxury and that each day brings economic sustainability and happiness to our employees," says David Manzella, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts/Posadas.
Environmental sustainability. Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events currently promotes the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity through actions that contribute to the protection of the environment. They take part in the fight against pollution and climate change through programmes and brand standards.
Social sustainability. The promotion and protection of human rights is important at Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events. The company helps to develop the communities where they operate by bringing education, attention to health and support in case of natural disasters. The company promotes a culture of sustainability and champions values such as equality, inter-generational solidarity, respect and the preservation and restoration of the environment.
Economic sustainability. Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events promotes a responsible use of resources through a series of goals and strategies that involve human and material resources. They strive for economic growth and development under a clear institutional framework in which management, innovation, growth, gender equality, skill development and non-polluting technology converge.
Fundación Posadas
Posadas, the parent company of Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events, is not new to creating meaningful standards and practices. The company is celebrating 16 years of Fundación Posadas, an initiative that focuses efforts on four areas: health, education, volunteering and supporting victims of natural disasters. They have a presence in 30 of Mexico's states and Mexico City. In 2019, they granted 799 scholarships, brought health care to 2,246 patients and assisted more than 14,600 people through their volunteer programmes.
Promotional opportunities
Click here for details on Fiesta Americana's current promotion.
Meaningful meetings start here
Plan your meaningful meeting at one of Fiesta Americana Travelty Meetings & Events' four resorts. You'll discover that they are each very different and unique:
And for more information: fiestamericanatraveltymeetings.com/
